Beginning
9 1 Divers Kings assemble themselves against Joshua. 3 The craft of the Gibeonites. 15 Joshua maketh a league with them. 23 For their craft they are condemned to perpetual slavery.
1 And when all the Kings that [a]were beyond Jordan, in the mountains and in the valleys, and by all the coasts of the [b]great Sea over against Lebanon (as the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites) heard thereof,
2 They gathered themselves together, to fight against Joshua, and against Israel with one [c]accord.
3 ¶ (A)But the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho, and to Ai.
4 And therefore they wrought craftily: for they went, and feigned themselves ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and old bottles for wine, both rent and [d]bound up,
5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet: also the raiment upon them was old, and all their provision of bread was dried, and molded.
6 So they came unto Joshua into the host to Gilgal, and said unto him, and unto the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make a league with us.
7 Then the men of Israel said unto the [e]Hivites, It may be that thou dwellest among us, how then can I make a league with thee?
8 And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. Then Joshua said unto them, Who are ye, and whence come ye?
9 And they answered him, From a very far country thy servants are come for [f]the Name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard his fame and all that he hath done in Egypt,
10 And all that he hath done to the two kings of the Amorites that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which were at Ashtaroth.
11 Wherefore our Elders, and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take vittles [g]with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: now therefore make ye a league with us.
12 This our [h]bread we took it hot with us for victuals out of our houses, the day we departed to come unto you: but now behold, it is dried, and it is molded.
13 Also these bottles of wine which we filled, were new, and lo, they be rent, and these our garments and our shoes are old, by reason of the exceeding great journey.
14 ¶ And the [i]men accepted their tale concerning their victuals, and counseled not with the mouth of the Lord.
15 So Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, that he would suffer them to live: also the Princes of the Congregation swore unto them.
16 ¶ But at the end of three days, after they had made a league with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them.
17 And the children of Israel took their [j]journey, and came unto their cities the third day, and their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth and Kirjath Jearim.
18 And the children of Israel slew them not, because the Princes of the Congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: wherefore all the Congregation [k]murmured against the Princes.
19 Then all the Princes said unto all the Congregation, We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
20 But this we will do to them, and let them live, lest the wrath be upon us, because of the [l]oath which we swore unto them.
21 And the Princes said unto them again, Let them live, but they shall hew wood, and draw water unto all the Congregation, as the Princes appoint them.
22 Joshua then called them, and talked with them, and said, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you, when ye dwell among us?
23 Now therefore ye are accursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood, and drawers of water for [m]the house of my God.
24 And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was told thy servants, that the Lord thy God had (B)commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land out of your sight, therefore we were exceeding sore afraid for our lives at the presence of you, and have done this thing:
25 And behold now, we are in thine hand: do as it seemeth good and right in thine eyes to do unto us.
26 Even so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the [n]hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.
27 And Joshua appointed them that same day to be hewers of wood, and drawers of water for the Congregation, and for the [o]altar of the Lord unto this day, in the place which he should choose.
10 1 Five kings make war against Gibeon whom Joshua discomfiteth. 11 The Lord rained hailstones and slew many. 12 The Sun standeth at Joshua’s prayer. 26 The five kings are hanged. 29 Many more cities and kings are destroyed.
1 Now when Adoni Zedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai and had destroyed it, ((C)for as he had done to Jericho and to the king thereof, so he had done to (D)Ai and to the king thereof) and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them,
2 Then they feared exceedingly: for Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities: for it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.
3 Wherefore [p]Adoni Zedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,
4 Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for they have made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.
5 Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they with all their hosts, and besieged Gibeon, and made [q]war against it.
6 And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua, even to the host to Gilgal, saying, Withdraw not thine hand from thy servants: come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites, which dwell in the mountains, are gathered together against us.
7 So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the men of might.
8 ¶ And the Lord said unto Joshua, [r]Fear them not: for I have given them into thine hand: none of them shall stand against thee.
9 Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly: for he went up from Gilgal all the night.
10 And the Lord discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Beth Horon, and smote them to Azekah, and to Makkedah.
11 And as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth Horon, the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them, until Azekah, and they died: they were more that died with the [s]hailstones, than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
12 ¶ Then spake Joshua to the Lord, in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, (E)Sun, stay thou in Gibeon, and thou Moon, in the valley of Aijalon.
13 And the Sun abode, and the moon stood still, until the people avenged themselves upon their enemies: (is not this written in the book of [t]Jasher?) so the Sun abode in the midst of the heaven, and hasted not to go down for a whole day.
14 And there was no day like that before it, nor after it, that the Lord heard the voice of a man: for the Lord [u]fought for Israel.
15 ¶ After, Joshua returned, and all Israel with him unto the camp to Gilgal:
16 But the five kings fled and were hid in a cave at Makkedah.
17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
18 Then Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them.
19 But stand ye not still: follow after your enemies, and [v]smite all the hindmost, suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God hath given them into your hand.
20 And when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with an exceeding great slaughter till they were consumed, and the rest that remained of them were entered into walled cities,
21 Then all the people returned to the camp, to Joshua at Makkedah in [w]peace: no man moved his tongue against the children of Israel.
22 After, Joshua said, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out these five kings unto me forth of the cave.
23 And they did so, and brought out those five kings unto him forth of the cave, even the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
24 And when they had brought out those kings unto Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the chief of the men of war, which went with him, Come near, set your feet upon the [x]necks of these kings, and they came near, and set their feet upon their necks.
25 And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be faint hearted, but be strong and of a good courage: for thus will the Lord do to all your enemies, against whom ye fight.
26 So then Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees, and they hanged still upon the trees until the evening.
27 And at the going down of the sun, Joshua gave commandment, that they should take (F)them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave (wherein they had been hid) and they laid great stones upon the cave’s mouth, which remain until this day.
28 ¶ And that same day Joshua took Makkedah and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof destroyed he with them, and [y]all the souls that were therein, he let none remain: for he did to the king of Makkedah, as he had done unto the king of Jericho.
29 Then Joshua went from Makkedah, and all Israel with him unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah.
30 And the Lord gave it also and the king thereof into the hand of Israel: and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the [z]souls that were therein: he let none remain in it: for he did unto the king thereof, as he had done unto the king of Jericho.
31 ¶ And Joshua departed from Libnah, and all Israel with him unto Lachish, and besieged it, and assaulted it.
32 And the Lord gave Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein, according to all as he had done to Libnah.
33 ¶ Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish: but Joshua smote him and his people, until none of his remained.
34 ¶ And from Lachish Joshua departed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged it, and assaulted it.
35 And they took it the same day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed the same day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.
36 Then Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him unto Hebron, and they fought against it.
37 And when they had taken it, they smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein: he left none remaining, according to all as he had done to Eglon: for he destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.
38 ¶ So Joshua returned, and all Israel with him to Debir, and fought against it.
39 And when he had taken it, and the king thereof, and all the city thereof, they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein, he let none remain: as he did to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof, as he had also done to Libnah, and to the king thereof.
40 ¶ So Joshua smote all the hill countries, and the South countries, and the valleys, and the [aa]hillsides, and all their kings, and let none remain, but utterly destroyed every soul, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded.
41 And Joshua smote them from Kadesh Barnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.
42 And all these kings, and their land did Joshua take at [ab]one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.
43 Afterward, Joshua and all Israel with him returned unto the camp in [ac]Gilgal.
11 1 Divers kings and cities, and countries overcome by Joshua. 15 Joshua did all that Moses had commanded him. 20 God hardeneth the enemies’ hearts that they might be destroyed.
1 And when Jabin king of Hazor had heard this, then he [ad]sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
2 And unto the kings that were by the North in the mountains and plains toward the South side of [ae]Chinneroth, and in the valleys, and in the borders of Dor Westward,
3 And unto the Canaanites, both by East, and by West, and unto the Amorites, and Hittites, and Perizzites, and Jebusites in the mountains, and unto the Hivites, under [af]Hermon in the land of Mizpah.
4 And they came out, and all their hosts with them, many people, as the sand that is on the seashore, for multitude, with horses and chariots exceeding many.
5 So all these kings met together, and came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, for to fight against Israel.
6 ¶ Then the Lord said unto Joshua, Be not afraid for them: for tomorrow about this time will I deliver them all slain before Israel: thou shalt [ag]hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
7 Then came Joshua and all the men of war with him, against them, by the waters of Merom suddenly, and fell upon them.
8 And the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel: and they smote them, and chased them unto great Sidon, and unto [ah]Misrephoth, and unto the valley of Mizpah Eastward, and smote them until they had none remaining of them.
9 And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.
10 ¶ At that time also Joshua turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the King thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.
11 Moreover they smote all the [ai]persons that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying all, leaving none alive, and he burnt Hazor with fire.
12 So all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them, (G)as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded.
13 But Israel burnt none of the cities that stood still in their [aj]strength, save Hazor only, that Joshua burnt.
14 And all the spoil of these cities and the cattle, the children of Israel took for their prey, but they smote every [ak]man with the edge of the sword until they had destroyed them, not leaving one alive.
15 ¶ As the Lord (H)had commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses (I)command Joshua, and so did Joshua, he left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.
16 So Joshua took all this land of the mountains, and all the South, and all the land of Goshen, and the low country, and the plain, and the [al]mountain of Israel, and the low country of the same,
17 From the mount [am]Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto [an]Baal Gad in the valley of Lebanon, under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them.
18 Joshua made war [a] long time with all those Kings,
19 Neither was there any city that made peace with the children of Israel, (J)save those Hivites that inhabited Gibeon: all others they took by battle.
20 For it came of the Lord, to [ao]harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, to the intent that they should destroy them utterly, and show them no mercy, but that they should bring them to nought, as the Lord had commanded Moses.
21 ¶ And that same season came Joshua, and destroyed the Anakims out of the mountains: as out of Hebron, out of Debir, out of Anab, and out of all the mountains of Judah, and out of all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.
22 There was no Anakim left in the land of the children of Israel, only in Gaza, [ap]in Gath, and in Ashdod were they left.
23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had said unto Moses: and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel, (K)according to their portions through their tribes: then the land was at rest without war.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.